MN Hands & Voices
Lifetrack
Resources 651-265-2435
Voice 651-265-2379
TTY 866-DHOHKID
Toll Free MNHV@lifetrackresources.org |
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Sign Language for Beginners
Selected
Resources
www.MNHandsandVoices.org |
MN Hands
& Voices has a large and growing collection of resources to support parents
as they raise children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We have approximately
350 books, over 300 videotapes, and a small but expanding collection of
computer software.
We have
several books, tapes and other resources related to learning sign
language. A sample of these is
listed below, as well as other resources you might want to explore. A complete list of library resources is
available on our website. To borrow any
of the materials from our library, just give us a call or send us an
e-mail.
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Books |
1.
The American Sign Language Phrase Book, by Lou Fant (1994). This is
“the reference guide to everyday expressions in American Sign Language,
providing the quickest way to converse” with people who are deaf or hard of
hearing.
2.
Dictionaries, we have various sign language dictionaries in our
library.
3.
Children’s Books: We have a
variety of children’s books that are also enjoyable for parents who are just
learning to sign.
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Computer Software |
1.
Sign Link. This CD-ROM offers
tutorials on American Sign Language grammar and linguistic structure, and
introductory topics on American Deaf Culture.
Requires Widows 95/98 operating system, 80486 66 MHz or faster
processor.
2.
Sign Language for Everyone (1998).
This CD-ROM includes 14 comprehensive lessons of the manual alphabet, handshape usage, common phrases, vocabulary training and
grammar.
3.
Hypersign: An
Interactive Dictionary of American Sign Language. More than a dictionary, this CD-ROM includes
full motion video, age level specific vocabulary, ASL phrases and games for
adults and children.
4.
Rosie’s Walk: A Game CD- Rom. This is a
computer game that could help children to sign and read.
This game has the ability
to give information in ASL or signed English.
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Videos |
1.
The Bravo Family. This popular series contains 15 lessons with
vocabulary, culture and grammar applies to real life situations.
2.
Basic Sign Language for Children. These videos present a basic signed English
vocabulary. Half the screen shows a
picture of the object/action/word and the other half shows a person
demonstrating the sign. The introduction
to the tape says it is directed toward children with developmental disabilities
but the tapes’ simple format is appropriate for any beginner learning to sign.
3.
Sign with Your Baby Complete Learning Kit. This learning kit includes a book, video and
quick reference guide for learning to sign with your baby.
4.
Sign With Me: A Family Sign Language Curriculum, by Pat
Moeller and Brenda Schick. This
video/workbook series for families of young children who are deaf “will teach
you basic signs to use with your child every day.”
5.
Learning American Sign Language. This video and book, usually used as part of
a formal sign language class, contain numerous lessons that are “structured
around language needed for common life situations and communicative examples
are presented in the form of dialogues coupled with grammar and vocabulary
instruction.”
6.
Read to Me.
This series consists of a deaf person signing a popular children’s
book.
7.
Cartoons.
We have a collection of children’s cartoons that are spliced with sign
language. Both children and adults enjoy
watching while learning new signs.
8.
Shared
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National and State Organizations to Contact |
Three other organizations in
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Websites to Check Out |
1.
HandSpeak, www.handspeak.com. This site calls itself the “largest and
fastest growing visual language dictionary on-line.” If you don’t know the sign for a word, just
type it in and a signer will pop up on the screen to show you the sign in slow
motion.
2.
Harris Communications, www.harriscomm.com. This company sells a large variety of books
and videotapes related to sign language and other items of interest to people
who are deaf or hard of hearing. An
online catalogue makes browsing easy.
Telephone at: 800-825-6758 (V) or 800-825-9187 (TTY).
3. American Sign Language University, www.lifeprint.com. Site users can enjoy this free series of
self-
paced online ASL
courses. Each course covers various aspects of Deaf Culture, ASL grammar,
history,
terminology, and
approximately 100 new signs.
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Sign Language Classes |
We can search for sign classes at your request, please give
us a call.
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This is not a complete
list of resources available. If you do
not find something of interest listed here, we encourage you to contact MN
Hands & Voices for further information and The resources
listed here have been selected by the staff of MN Hands & Voices but are
not affiliated with us in any way, please review carefully as we can not be
responsible for their contents or claims.
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